in the remote east of afghanistan near the mountainous border of pakistan. helicopters carrying dozens of elite army rangers race over the rugged landscape. their target is an insurgent compound. the mission is high risk. it's broad daylight. the insurgents are heavily armed, but it's considered a risk worth taking because intelligence indicates that a top al qaeda commander is in that compound. soon the helicopters touch down, and our rangers immediately come under fire. within minutes leroy, then a staff sergeant, and another soldier are pushing ahead into a courtyard surrounded by high mud walls. that's when the enemy opens up with their ak-47s. leroy is hit in both legs. he's bleeding badly, but he summons the strength to lead the other ranger to cover behind a chicken coop. he radios for support. he hurls a grenade at the enemy, giving cover to a third ranger who rushes to their aid. an enemy grenade explodes nearby, wounding leroy's two comrades. then a second grenade lands. this time only a few feet away. every human impulse would tell someone to turn